Oldham is set to benefit in areas related to housing, transport and education following a devolution deal with the government.

A new deal signed by Greater Manchester leaders, including Oldham Council leader, Cllr Amanda Chadderton, will see local authorities granted new powers, financial freedom and accountability arrangements.

On Tuesday, a signing ceremony took place which saw the Greater Manchester mayor, Andy Burnham, and 10 leaders publicly sign the deal alongside the minister for Levelling Up, MP Dehenna Davison.

Significant breakthroughs secured in the trailblazer deal include changes to education, transport, homes and collaboration on net zero spending.

When it comes to education, there will be a simplified system that will help create pathways into good jobs which will provide a boost to businesses and young people.

Funds will also allow for better integration of the rail network while thousands of homes will be built on brownfield sites as part of an extra £150m of funding.

Meanwhile, renters are set to benefit from new protections from the Greater Manchester Good Landlord Charter.

A single block grant will further promote a faster, growing economy, in turn reducing inequalities and providing opportunities.

On climate change, the deal hopes to create a new collaboration on a range of net zero and nature recovery adaptation measures with some net zero spending decisions to be made locally.

Greater Manchester has already provided millions of pounds of funding in Oldham which has produced major benefits.

More than £6.5m has been granted to develop brownfield housing, which has supported the Derker and Southlink housing developments with a range of affordable options.

Another £2m has been provided to improve walking, wheeling and cycling infrastructure between Oldham West Street and Cheapside bus stations, making the town centre more accessible for everyone.

The scheme, formed as part of the "Accessible Oldham" project, was funded from the mayor's 'challenge fund' cycling and walking programme.

But £2.6m more will help fund additional improvements to the town centre, creating and improving green spaces and supporting a thriving local arts, cultural and heritage sector.

Finally, more than £3m was spent on green projects, such as solar power infrastructure as well as insulation and air source heat pumps for council buildings including Spindles, Oldham Leisure Centre and Oldham Library.

The Roots of Opportunity programme was given £500,000 to fund "green jobs" in the Northern Roots project which is working towards creating the UK's largest urban farm and eco-park on 160 acres of green space in Oldham.

Cllr Chadderton said: “Signing this deal shows Greater Manchester working together for our communities.

“Oldham is already benefiting from previous devolution deals as we’ve seen millions put toward improving access to housing by utilising brownfield land, redeveloping our town centre and enabling green projects as part of our commitment to net zero.

“So we’ve already shown that making decisions locally, in the best interests of local people is the best way forward.

"This latest deal now means we’ll have even more of a say in how funding is spent.

"This is a major milestone for Greater Manchester and all of its local authorities - today marks a significant step in taking our future into our own hands.”